The Mankato MoonDogs scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning Thursday night to mount a 4-3 Northwoods League victory over the first-place Thunder Bay Border Cats.

With the game tied 2-2, Mankato scored twice on a two-out error by Thunder Bay third baseman Chris Curley to grab the lead and give Cory Harrilchak his third win of the season.

Harrilchak pitched eight innings, allowing seven hits, striking out six and walking one. Scott Maytas pitched the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

Mankato, which was held to six hits, led 2-1 after back-to-back RBI hits by Bobby Munoz and Harrilchak, who doubled. Both players finished 2 for 4. Brett Krill went 2 for 3.

The MoonDogs (29-21, 9-7 in second half) won the North Division title but trail the Border Cats (30-21, 11-6) by 11⁄2 games in the second-half standings. The two teams will play again at 6:05 p.m. tonight in Thunder Bay.

After completing the four-game road trip with games Saturday and Sunday in Duluth, Mankato will return home Monday and play Brainerd to start a three-game homestand.